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This February, the Elevate EMS Series will spotlight one of the most critical and sensitive areas in prehospital care—pediatric emergencies.

Emergency Department physicians and nurses from AdventHealth will educate EMS providers on the unique challenges of treating pediatric patients in the field. This session will offer clinical insight beyond the initial assessment, covering a range of high-acuity topics designed to enhance provider confidence and preparedness.

This training brings together academic excellence and frontline experience to deliver high-impact education tailored to EMS professionals.

Objectives:

Pediatric Respiratory Emergencies - Dr. Sydni Oliveto

• Understand key anatomic and physiological differences between pediatric and adult airways and their impact on assessment and management.
• Apply the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) for rapid identification of respiratory distress or failure.
• Differentiate common pediatric respiratory illnesses (croup, epiglottitis, asthma, bronchiolitis, pneumonia) using history and clinical findings.
• Recognize early and late signs of impending respiratory failure, including fatigue, altered mental status, and poor air movement.
• Select appropriate prehospital interventions such as positioning, oxygen delivery, suctioning, BVM ventilation, and protocol-driven medications.
• Identify situations requiring escalation of care, including CPAP use, early transport, and when advanced airway interventions may be harmful.
• Implement strategies to reduce agitation and optimize oxygenation in upper and lower airway disease.

Pediatric Neurology and Endocrinology Emergencies - Jarret McWhorter, PA

• Recognize signs of altered mental status and increased intracranial pressure in pediatric patients.
• Differentiate febrile seizures, epileptic seizures, and status epilepticus; manage airway and administer medications per protocol.
• Identify diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), adrenal crisis, and severe hypoglycemia promptly.
• Initiate rapid interventions such as glucose correction and fluid resuscitation per protocol.
• Prioritize rapid transport and early hospital notification.

Pediatric Toxicology Emergencies and EMS Communication - Marielle Simon, RN

• Recognize common pediatric poisonings and dangerous single-dose substances.
• Identify toxidromes and initiate supportive care.
• Perform safe decontamination when indicated.
• Contact poison control.
• Communicate critical findings clearly and provide a structured handoff to hospital staff to ensure continuity of care.

Session 2 Agenda: